Are women’s refuges actually single sex?

[monajoanne]

I lived in a women’s refuge several years ago. Just as I was leaving a TIM appeared who the staff referred to as she even though we all knew he was not a she. I only crossed over with that guy for a week before I left and I had my own shit going on so I didn’t give it too much thought but it still disturbed me (this was pre trans explosion madness).

I often wondered though how women victims and female staff handled the reality of a TIM turning up in such a vulnerable women’s space and how they handled it.

I’m so glad I left when I did.

There are (bilogical) women only services, but because of pressure from trans activists and funders they are hard to find. Often because they dont want to be identified.

The real problem has been when which ever group it is doesn not clearly state their policy. Not sure if they has improved as more recentlly there has been public criticism for not being explicit.

This is a very long winded and confusing statement from Women's Aid England about supporting the concept that women who have suffered male violence need women only services.

https://womensaid.org.uk/womens-aid-single-sex-services-statement/

If i recall correctly the Women’s Aid Federation consultation full member votes showed that most refugees services voted for female only services.

The major fudge statement they issued was as a consequence of Local Authority funders demands for gender neutral services. Also because affiliate members had been admitted some years before who did provide generic services.

I guess it depends where the refuge is located, cities more susceptible to this ideology.

Most Women's Aid (and unaffiliated women’s service’s) use the phrase “services for women by women” Or something similar in their governing documents.

So if they do they would be in breach of the Equality Act if services are mixed.

I cannot see how a victim seeking refuge would be in a position to challenge anything, so i guess it is up to us to do some digging.

I had a conversation with someone who works in a related area, and he said that when shelters accept "trans-inclusive only" funding, they can - and do - interpret that as meaning they must cater for transwomen but can - and do - separate the sexes by site. This is in a city, where population density means there are enough transwomen for it to work, but, even so, they sometimes have difficulty accommodating them immediately on application, and have to come up with creative solutions (not including bunging them in with the women). We didn't have time to talk about the needs of other men, but I was left feeling this was all a bit inefficient.